Catheter with markings to facilitate alignment

ABSTRACT

For treating a treatment area in the vasculature, this disclosure relates to a first, pre-dilatation catheter having a first shaft including a first distal portion adapted for positioning at the treatment area and a first proximal portion including a first marking at a first location. A second, dilatation catheter includes a second shaft including a second distal portion adapted for positioning at the treatment area and a second proximal portion including a second marking at a second location substantially matching a first location of the first marking. Related methods are disclosed.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/747,416, which is incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to interventional medical procedures,such as angioplasty, and, more particularly, to a catheter with markingsto assist in ensuring the proper alignment with a treatment area.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Catheters including balloons are routinely used to resolve or addressflow restrictions or perhaps even complete blockages in tubular areas ofa body, such as arteries or veins. In many clinical situations, therestrictions are caused by hard solids, such as calcified plaque, andmay sometimes involve the use of high pressures to compact suchblockages. Commercially available balloons employ complex technology toachieve high pressure requirements without sacrificing the profile ofthe balloon. Besides high pressure requirements, the balloons shouldalso be resistant to puncture, easy to track and push, and present a lowprofile, especially when used for angioplasty.

The clinician performing the angioplasty procedure should be able tolocate the position of the uninflated balloon with accuracy, so that theballoon will be properly positioned once inflated. This isconventionally accomplished by attaching marker bands on the cathetershaft corresponding to the ends of the balloon working surface. This“working surface” is the surface along the portion of the balloon thatis used to achieve the desired treatment effect, such as contacting thecalcified plaque (which surface in the case of a balloon having conicalor tapering sections at the proximal and distal ends is typicallyco-extensive with a generally cylindrical barrel section).

However, misalignment of the marker bands during placement along theshaft sometimes results in their failure to correspond precisely to theextent of the working surface. This misalignment may prevent theclinician from accurately identifying the location of the workingsurface of the balloon during an interventional procedure. Also, whensuccessive intravascular interventions are made, such as during apre-dilatation using a first catheter followed by dilatation using asecond catheter, the clinician must guess where the pre-dilatationoccurred. In either case, this uncertainty may lead to a geographicmisalignment, or “miss,” of the intended contact between the intendedtreatment area and the working surface of the balloon. It is especiallydesirable to avoid such an outcome when the balloon is designed todeliver a payload (such as a therapeutic agent (e.g., a drug, such aspaclitaxel, rapamycin, heparin and the like), a drug, a stent, a stentgraft, or a combination) or a working element (such as a cutter, focusedforce wire, or the like) to a specified location within the vasculature,since a miss may, at a minimum, prolong the procedure (such as, forexample, by requiring redeployment of the balloon or the use of anotherballoon catheter in the case of a drug coated balloon), and possiblyresult in an inferior outcome if the lesion is not properly treated as aresult of the misalignment.

Accordingly, a need exists for a manner in which to position a ballooncatheter into the vasculature at a treatment area with enhancedaccuracy, and also in a manner that is highly repeatable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the disclosure is to provide a first catheter with amarking along a proximal portion (e.g., proximal of the distal portionincluding any balloon) for use in determining at a location external tothe body the position relative to a treatment area. A second catheterwith a corresponding marking may also be provided for then providing thetreatment at the same treatment area.

One aspect of this disclosure pertains to kit for treating a treatmentarea in the vasculature, comprising a first, pre-dilatation catheterhaving a first shaft including a first distal portion adapted forpositioning at the treatment area and a first proximal portion includinga first marking at a first location, and a second, dilatation catheterhaving a second shaft including a second distal portion adapted forpositioning at the treatment area and a second proximal portionincluding a second marking at a second location substantially matching afirst location of the first marking.

The first and second markings may comprise regularly spaced marks orirregularly spaced marks. The first and second markings may bepositioned adjacent a hub of the first and second catheters. Themarkings may be chemiluminescent or photoluminescent.

At least one of the first or second markings may comprise at least onecolor mark. At least one of the first or second markings comprises atleast two marks having different shades.

Each of the first and second catheters may include a balloon. The firstdistal portion may include one or more radiopaque markings. The secondcatheter may include a treatment selected from the group consisting of adrug, a stent, a sent graft, a cutter, a focused force wire, or anycombination thereof. One or more of the markings may be radiopaque. Oneor more of the markings may comprise a notch, bump, ridge, recess, orany combination of the foregoing.

Another aspect of the disclosure relates to an apparatus for treating atreatment area at an intravascular location in a body. The apparatuscomprises a catheter including a shaft having a distal portion includinga balloon carrying a drug and a proximal portion including at least onemarking arranged for being viewed at a reference point external to thebody for identifying the location of the treatment area relative to thereference point.

The balloon may further include a treatment selected from the groupconsisting of a stent, a graft, a cutter, a focused force wire, or anycombination thereof. The first and second markings may compriseequidistantly spaced bands, and may extend from a first locationadjacent a hub of the catheter to a second location closer to theballoon. The markings may be chemiluminescent or photoluminescent, andmay comprise at least one color mark. The marking may comprise at leasttwo marks of different shades, and may further include a radiopaquemarking. One or more of the markings may comprise a notch, bump, ridge,recess, or any combination of the foregoing.

A further aspect of the disclosure may relate to a method of treating atreatment area in a body. The method comprises inserting a distalportion of a first catheter to the treatment area, determining aposition of a first marking on a proximal portion of the first catheterrelative to a reference point, and inserting a second catheter until asecond marking on the second catheter corresponds to the referencepoint. The method may further include the step of applying a treatmentto the treatment area using the second catheter, and may further includeproviding the first and second markings in the same color. Thedetermining step may include viewing the first marking at a locationexternal to the body.

A further aspect of the disclosure relates to a method for treating atreatment area in the vasculature. The method comprises providing afirst catheter having a first shaft including a first distal portionadapted for positioning at the treatment area and a first proximalportion including a first marking at a first location, and providing asecond catheter having a second shaft including a second distal portionadapted for positioning at the first location and a second proximalportion including a second marking at a second location substantiallymatching a first location of the first marking.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-4 show a catheter according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show details of a catheter according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIGS. 7A, 7B and 8 show a way of using a catheter according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The description provided below and in regard to the figures applies toall embodiments unless noted otherwise, and features common to eachembodiment are similarly shown and numbered.

Provided is a catheter 10 having a distal portion 11 with a balloon 12mounted on a catheter tube 14. Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, theballoon 12 has an intermediate section 16, or “barrel” having theworking surface W, and end sections 18, 20. In one embodiment, the endsections 18, 20 reduce in diameter to join the intermediate section 16to the catheter tube 14 (and thus sections 18, 20 are generally termedcones or cone sections). The balloon 12 is sealed to catheter tube 14 atballoon ends (proximal 15 a and distal 15 b) on the end sections 18, 20to allow the inflation of the balloon 12 via one or more inflationlumens 17 extending within catheter tube 14 and communicating with theinterior of the balloon 12.

The catheter tube 14 also includes an elongated, tubular shaft 24forming a guidewire lumen 23 that directs the guidewire 26 through thecatheter 10. As illustrated in FIG. 3, this guidewire 26 may be insertedthrough a first port 25 of a connector, such as a hub 27, into the lumen23 to achieve an “over the wire” (OTW) arrangement, but could also beprovided in a “rapid exchange” configuration in which the guidewire 26enters the lumen through a lateral opening 14 a closer to the distal end(see FIG. 4). A second port 29 may also be associated with catheter 10,such as by way of connector 27, for introducing a fluid (e.g., saline, acontrast agent, or both) into the interior of the balloon 12 via theinflation lumen 17.

Balloon 12 may include a single or multi-layered balloon wall 28. Theballoon 12 may be a non-compliant balloon having a balloon wall 28 thatmaintains its size and shape in one or more directions when the balloonis inflated. The balloon 12 in such case also has a pre-determinedsurface area that remains constant during and after inflation, also hasa pre-determined length and pre-determined circumference that each, ortogether, remain constant during and after inflation. However, theballoon 12 could be semi-compliant or compliant instead, depending onthe particular use.

In order to provide an enhanced locatability during an interventionalprocedure, the catheter 10 may be provided with a marking 30 along aportion external to the body during the procedure, such as along tube14. As shown in FIG. 5, the marking 30 may comprise a plurality ofspaced marks 32, such as bands. These marks 32 may extend from adjacentthe connector 27 to the proximal end 15 a of the balloon 12, or anyportion thereof (which is considered the “proximal portion” of thecatheter 10, as contrasted with the distal portion including the balloon12). The marks 32 may be evenly or unevenly spaced (e.g., the marks mayget progressively closer along the length of the shaft 24). The marks 32may be of a single color, such as for example black as shown in FIG. 5,but as shown in FIG. 6 may also be provided in different shades orcolors. The marks 32 may also comprise hash lines forming a ruler withgradations identified by numbers, letters, or symbols. The marking 30may also comprise a biocompatible chemiluminescent or photoluminescentmaterial that may be easily viewed in the low light conditions oftenpresent during a procedure involving fluoroscopy. Alternatively oradditionally, the marking 30 may be provided in a manner that allows fortactile engagement, such as in the forms of notches, bumps, ridges,recesses, or like structures that can be counted even when not directlyvisible.

In use, and with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B, a catheter 100 includingthe marking 30 may be inserted in to a vessel V to a particulartreatment area A, which is shown as comprising a lesion L, but only toprovide a pre-dilatation assessment of its location. The catheter 100may have a radiopaque quality (such as by providing one or more bands102 underlying the associated balloon 112 and defining the ends of thebarrel section 116, or else provided on the balloon surface) that may beused in connection with fluoroscopy to determine the location of thetreatment area A. The skilled reader will understand from FIGS. 7A and7B that this means that the position of the bands 102, or equivalentlyany sort of radiopaque marker, corresponds to the location of thetreatment area A. At this point, the clinician may view the marking 30to assess the amount to which the catheter 100 has been introduced tothe treatment area A. This may involve counting the marks 32 external tothe introducer I (for the FIG. 5 embodiment), or else noting aparticular color or shade of a particular mark 32′ (for the FIG. 6embodiment), relative to a point of reference R, such as the proximaledge of the introducer I representing a particular distance (X in theillustrated embodiment, which is the distance from the connector 27 tothe reference point R).

A second catheter or treatment catheter 200 including a similar marking30 is then used for providing a treatment T (such as a drug, a stent, astent graft, a balloon 212 or a combination) to the treatment area A.This catheter 200 may be passed through the introducer I until thecorresponding mark 32′ aligns with the previously determined point ofreference R, which may also correspond to distance X in the event thecatheters 100, 200 are of similar lengths). The skilled readerunderstands from this description that by such a method of positioning,the working surface of the balloon and the treatment area A coincidesubstantially. The above assures the clinician that the treatment isapplied to the treatment area A in the intended manner, and helps toavoid the problem of geographic misalignment. The treatment may then beprovided, such as by inflating the balloon 212 of the second catheter200 to compact the lesion L, and/or deploying the stent or stent graft.Radiopaque markers, such as bands 202, may optionally be provided to aidin confirming the location of the balloon 212 of the second catheter200.

It is clear to the skilled person from the above passage, when readtogether with FIGS. 7A and 7B, that for those two catheters, and in factany kit for treating a treatment area in a patient's vasculature, thelocations of the two markings “match”. To the skilled person, this canmean that the same or a corresponding marking on both catheterscorresponds to the same length from the distal tip of the respectivecatheter. Put differently, for the same or a corresponding marking onboth catheters, the length over which the catheter has been introducedinto a patient's vasculature is at least approximately the same.

In an alternate approach, the marks may be provided as one or moreradiopaque markings 40 formed by spaced marks 42 on the shafts of thecatheters 100, 200, instead of or in addition to markings 30. As shownin FIG. 8, a similar counting operation may be done under fluoroscopyduring sequential procedures (e.g., interventions), such as by using adifferent reference point R in the vessel V (including possibly part ofthe introducer I, such as the outlet or the distal end, which may bemade radiopaque as well).

While the disclosure presents certain embodiments to illustrate theinventive concepts, numerous modifications, alterations, and changes tothe described embodiments are possible without departing from the sphereand scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims.For example, any ranges and numerical values provided in the variousembodiments are subject to variation due to tolerances, due tovariations in environmental factors and material quality, and due tomodifications of the structure and shape of the balloon, and thus can beconsidered to be approximate and the term “approximately” means that therelevant value can, at minimum, vary because of such factors. Also, thedrawings, while illustrating the inventive concepts, are not to scale,and should not be limited to any particular sizes or dimensions.Accordingly, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limitedto the described embodiments, but that it has the full scope defined bythe language of the following claims, and equivalents thereof.

1. A kit for treating a treatment area in the vasculature, comprising: afirst, pre-dilatation catheter having a first shaft including a firstdistal portion adapted for positioning at the treatment area and a firstproximal portion including a first marking at a first location; and asecond, dilatation catheter having a second shaft including a seconddistal portion adapted for positioning at the treatment area and asecond proximal portion including a second marking at a second locationsubstantially matching a first location of the first marking.
 2. The kitof claim 1, wherein the first and second markings comprise regularlyspaced marks or irregularly spaced marks.
 3. The kit of claim 1, whereinthe first and second markings are positioned adjacent a hub of the firstand second catheters.
 4. The kit of claim 1, wherein the markings arechemiluminescent or photoluminescent.
 5. The kit of claim 1, wherein atleast one of the first or second markings comprises at least one colormark.
 6. The kit of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the first orsecond markings comprises at least two marks having different shades. 7.The kit of claim 1, wherein the first and second catheters each includea balloon.
 8. The kit of claim 1, wherein the first distal portionincludes one or more radiopaque markings.
 9. The kit of claim 1, whereinthe second catheter includes a treatment selected from the groupconsisting of a drug, a stent, a sent graft, a cutter, a focused forcewire, or any combination thereof.
 10. The kit of claim 1, wherein one ormore of the markings is radiopaque.
 11. The kit of claim 1, wherein oneor more of the markings comprises a notch, bump, ridge, recess, or anycombination of the foregoing.
 12. An apparatus for treating a treatmentarea at an intravascular location in a body, comprising: a catheterincluding a shaft having a distal portion including a balloon carrying adrug and a proximal portion including at least one marking arranged forbeing viewed at a reference point external to the body for identifyingthe location of the treatment area relative to the reference point. 13.The catheter of claim 12, wherein the balloon further includes atreatment selected from the group consisting of a stent, a graft, acutter, a focused force wire, or any combination thereof.
 14. Thecatheter of claim 12, wherein the first and second markings compriseequidistantly spaced bands.
 15. The catheter of claim 12, wherein themarkings extend from a first location adjacent a hub of the catheter toa second location closer to the balloon.
 16. The catheter of claim 12,wherein the markings are chemiluminescent or photoluminescent.
 17. Thecatheter of claim 12, wherein the marking comprises at least one colormark.
 18. The catheter of claim 12, wherein the marking comprises atleast two marks of different shades.
 19. The catheter of claim 12,further including a radiopaque marking.
 20. The catheter of claim 12,wherein one or more of the markings comprises a notch, bump, ridge,recess, or any combination of the foregoing.
 21. A method of treating atreatment area in a body, comprising: inserting a distal portion of afirst catheter to the treatment area; determining a position of a firstmarking on a proximal portion of the first catheter relative to areference point; and inserting a second catheter until a second markingon the second catheter corresponds to the reference point. 22.-25.(canceled)